title: External defibrillation during reoperative heart surgery.
abstract: An inexpensive system for remote external defibrillation was evaluated in 25 patients undergoing repeat open-heart surgery. The system consists of a pair of self-adhesive pads connected with a remote bracket on which a standard pair of external shock electrodes are discharged. With this system 84% of the patients were successfully defibrillated: 12% converted spontaneously. The energy level at conversion was less than or equal to 200 Ws in 90% of the patients. There were no complications associated with the defibrillation procedure. By reducing the need for intrapericardial dissection this method shortens overall operating time and most probably decreases blood loss. The system can also be recommended for operations with a high risk of ventricular arrhythmia prior to pericardiotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lindblom
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Runsiö
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation